Afghan Meat Filled Pasta Mantou Recipes

AFGHAN BEEF RAVIOLIS (MANTWO)

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir together yogurt, mint, and garlic. Refrigerate.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onions until meat is browned, stirring occasionally to crumble; drain fat. Stir in 1 cup water, carrot, salt, black pepper, 1 1/2 teaspoons coriander, and 1/2 teaspoon cumin; simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until water evaporates.
• Lay out wonton wrappers on aluminum foil. Mound two large spoonfuls of beef mixture in the center of one wrapper. Dip a finger in water and trace it around all four edges. Lay a second wonton wrapper on top of the first, and press on all edges to seal. Roll up the edges to create a round, hat-shaped ravioli. Repeat, making 13 ravioli.
• Place ravioli in steamer and steam 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix together the yellow split peas, 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon coriander, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, chicken bouillon, and 1 1/2 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer over medium-low heat for about 45 minutes, or until it reaches a thick slurry-like consistency.
• Meanwhile, in the large skillet, mix remaining beef mixture with 2 tablespoons water, tomato paste, and 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Simmer over low heat until liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes.
• To serve, spread yogurt on a serving plate. Top with ravioli, and top again with split pea mixture. Finally, top with tomato and beef mixture. Serve immediately.

MANTOU

Steps:

• Dissolve the sugar and yeast in the warm water for 5-10 minutes until frothy. Sift the flour into a mixing bowl, then gradually stir in the yeast mixture to make a firm dough. Knead for 5 minutes, then cover with a damp cloth and leave in a warm place to rise for 1-1 1/2 hours.
• Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, then roll into a long sausage. Cut into about 24 pieces and flatten each piece with the palm of your hand. With a rolling pin, roll out each piece into a circle about 4 inches in diameter.
• Place a piece of wet cheesecloth on the rack of a steamer, arrange the buns 1 inches apart on the cheesecloth, cover and steam vigorously for 15-20 minutes. Serve hot.
• I guess you can use waxpaper and cut them into squares for the bottom of the buns like they do in shops (instead of using cheesecloth), but I never tried it yet.

AFGHAN MEAT FILLED PASTA (MANTOU)

Steps:

• To Make the Yogurt Sauce: Mix together the 1 cup yogurt, 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder and 1/4 teaspoons salt.
• Chill until ready to serve.
• To Make the Tomato Sauce: Slice the 1/2 yellow onion and boil in a medium-size saucepan with the 1 1/2 cups water until tender.
• Drain.
• In a blender put the cooked onion slices, 8 oz. tomato sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons oil, 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander and 1/2 teaspoons salt.
• Puree.
• Put into a medium-size saucepan.
• Add the diced carrot and chickpeas and cook the tomato sauce until the carrots are tender.
• To Make the Stuffed Pasta: In a large frying pan cook the meat, 2 diced onions, green bell pepper, 1 Table. garlic powder, 1 Table. ground coriander, 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper and 1/4 teaspoons cayenne.
• When browned, add 2 cups water and cook until the water evaporates.
• Let cool somewhat.
• Put 1 Table. of the meat mixture in the center of a won ton square (3 1/2 " x 3 1/2").
• Wet edges with water.
• Pull 2 opposite corners together in center and firmly seal.
• Do the same with the opposite corners, sealing all together.
• Repeat with remaining filling and won ton wrappers until of it is all used up.
• Oil a metal vegetable steamer and place the filled won tons on it.
• Cover and steam 15-20 minutes.
• To Serve: Spread a thin layer of yogurt sauce on each plate.
• Put stuffed pasta on each plate and drizzle a little yogurt over each.
• Drizzle tomato sauce over each pasta.
• Garnish with the dried mint leaves and chopped fresh cilantro.